Santiago refuses doc’s request to release her medical records

Miriam Santiago: Martial law declaration not a familial decision. YUJI VINCENT GONZALES/INQUIRER.net

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago rejected on Tuesday a doctor’s request to release her medical records to prove that she was fit for the presidency.

In an open letter to Santiago, Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio said the senator should release her medical records “because if you did not receive a miracle, there is a great probability that you will not survive your 6-year term—should you win.”

READ: ‘Third time’s the charm,’ says Miriam of presidential bid

The letter circulated in social media after Santiago filed last Friday her certificate of candidacy for president in the 2016 elections.

However, when asked in a phone patched interview at the Senate if she would release her medical records, Santiago said: “No. Because that’s my right to privacy. Ngayon (Now) if she wants to, she can go to St. Luke’s Global in Makati and she can formally ask there in writing, then St. Luke’s will follow their protocol.”

“I’ll abide by it. Susundin ko kung ano man ang sinasabi ng hospital tungkol doon pero alam mo sa ating Civil Code at ating Criminal Code, hindi pwedeng pilitin ng abugado ang isang pasyente na ibunyag sa korte ang relasyon nila ng doctor nya. All of these are covered by private human rights.”

(I’ll abide by it. I’ll abide by the rules of the hospital but you know in our Civil Code and Criminal Code, a lawyer can’t force a patient to disclose in court his or her relationship with the doctor. All of these are covered by private human rights.)

“Ngayon kung ang tingin nya’y sinungaling ako, karapatan nya yun pero wala tayong karapatan na (dahil) tumatakbo ang isang tao sa pagka-presidente pilitin na nating ilabas hindi lamang ang medical records nya, pati ba lahat ng records nya kasi magiging violation of human rights yun,” Santiago added.

(Now, if she thinks I’m lying, that’s her right but she has no right to force a presidential candidate to release not only her medical records but all other records because that’s a violation of human rights.)

Besides, the senator said, she had records at the hospital and a panel of doctors to prove that she was there almost every week for treatment while she was suffering from stage 4 lung cancer.

READ: Santiago eyes presidency

Santiago claimed, when she announced her presidential bid last week, that she had already conquered her cancer.

“Anong ibig nyang sabihin, hindi ako nag ka-cancer? E bakit ako nag absent for one and half year? Wala naman sa record ko na magbubuklakbol ako…”

(What did she mean, I didn’t have cancer? Then why was I absent for one and half year? My records don’t show that I will just wander around.)

Santiago said the doctor should first present her case and explain why she was doing those things against her.

“Parang sinasabi nya kasi, it’s my burden to prove that I’m healthy for the presidency e kung ganun lahat na lang ng tatakbo e pwedeng tanungin maliban sa health issues nya, meron ka bang mental health issues, meron ka bang financial issues, baka may utang ka…”

(It seems like she was saying, it’s my burden to prove that I’m healthy for the presidency. If that’s the case, all those who are running can be asked aside from his or her health issues, like do you have mental health issues, do you have financial issues, you might have loans.)

“Thats why our law does not provide for this matter. Sarili lang nyan yun (It’s all of her own.),” she said, still referring to the doctor. RAM